Some are suggesting this exercise may be a cover for a more sinister event to occur on the same date. Your guess as good as mine........D

"Great ShakeOut earthquake drills help people in homes, schools, and organizations practice how to be safe during big earthquakes, and provide an opportunity for everyone to improve their overall preparedness. By participating, you can have peace of mind that you, your family, your co-workers and millions of others will be better prepared to survive and recover quickly from the next big earthquake in your region! As of today, there are over 13.4 million people that have been registered to participate in ShakeOut drills in 2012, including over 8.9 million people, on October 18th.

The ShakeOut began in California and has also been organized in many other states and countries. If you are interested in establishing a ShakeOut drill in your region, please email [email protected]"